I started PersuasionReadingList.com after being continually impressed with Scott Adams’ ability to see the future. It’s fitting that I start my next pick on President Trump’s 100th day in office.
Donald Trump’s The Art of the Deal
covers a week in Trump’s real estate development business, while also telling wide-ranging stories about his business dealing. First published in 1987, it’s fascinating to read about the development of New York real estate and Trump’s own style of negotiation.
The man is incredibly lucky to come across some of the deals he has. That, or he knows how to play his cards, and he wrote the book on it.
Chapter One, Trump walks us through a typical week. He covers a series of deals he’s in the middle of making. Trump tells us he doesn’t do business for the money, but for the thrill and fun of the dealings.
He plays it all very loose, he tells us. He doesn’t carry a briefcase. He makes lots of phone calls and meets lots of people, looking for ways to connect. Throughout the book, he drops lots of names. It doesn’t hurt to promote your business partners, I suppose.
Trump says he doesn’t oppose those who have opposed him in the past. If they’re good talent that match his needs, Trump will hire them. We see this same approach with his opponents in the Republican primaries who are now in his cabinet.
Trump says that he likes to keep his options open with his possible dealings. This is something we see currently, where Trump will open a debate with an extreme position. He then has lots of room between that extreme position and the current position to negotiate around.
He suggests that critics deserve what they dish. He dashes off a letter to a writer for the New Your Times suggesting that the writer not pan Trump’s work sight unseen.
Trump says that he doesn’t understand the press and their interest in coverage of his work. He knows that the press can help move deals, so he’ll work with them. I think it’s fair to say, The Donald has learned a lot about the media in 30 years.